NOW AND THEN: Newport Arcade

Known to most Newportians as “Kimpton’s” Arcade because of the clothes shop at the High Street end. My late father, Ramon O’Brien (known in the Scouting world as Ober) was in the Newport Boy Scout Band.

My mother, brother and I would watch them parade down High Street and then we would run through the arcade to watch the band again as they paraded up Cambrian Road.

Jane O’Brien, Newport

Clearly, today’s pic is the Arcade which runs between High Street and Cambrian Road. It is one of the few places in the Town Centre which hasn’t changed much apart from the businesses operating there.

Jim Dyer Newport

The Now and Then picture is of Newport Arcade in High Street through to Cambrian Road. Opposite the arcade in High Street is the indoor market and just up the road in Market Street the South Wales Argus used to be printed. There used to be a pub called Simsons Bar in the area and Burtons the tailors.

Mrs M Reardon, Newport

The Then picture is of the once very busy Newport Arcade. During the fifties I worked across the road in Joyce’s stationers and bookshop, and I remember the arcade well. My friend worked in the bookshop in the forefront, Stanley Jones. Also in the arcade was Wagstaff’s later Winifred Bignall selling cosmetics and costume jewellery. At the High Street end was Crouch Jewellery and Stuart Kimptons, gentlemans outfitters on the other.

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Mrs F Oakendon, Newport

And from last week...

The photograph is of Rutland Place and not Daniel Street. We, together with our brother, were born in 1, Rutland Place during the late 1940’s/ early 1950’s.

That house is still there and is situated just out of shot on the left hand side of your picture.

It was our grandparent’s (Will and Rose Thomas) house and with our parents (Olive and Bert Playle) we lived there for a number of years until we were allocated a new house on the St Julian’s estate.

To the centre of the picture can be seen the house of Tommy Hills, the Builder, and to the extreme right is the house of Mrs Hennah and her family.

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This house was demolished many years ago - today a church occupies the site.

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Comments (5)

I've not once heard this arcade being referred to as “Kimpton’s” Arcade! it's a lovely arcade though, just a pity it's mostly empty due to sky high business rates :(

I've not once heard this arcade being referred to as “Kimpton’s” Arcade! it's a lovely arcade though, just a pity it's mostly empty due to sky high business rates :(inkyskin

I've not once heard this arcade being referred to as “Kimpton’s” Arcade! it's a lovely arcade though, just a pity it's mostly empty due to sky high business rates :(

Score: 1

Warbles says...11:59am Tue 1 Jul 14

Now look at the place, becoming as 'derelict' as the rest of Newport. About time the councillors 'smelled the coffee' and realise they have to entice small traders back.

Now look at the place, becoming as 'derelict' as the rest of Newport. About time the councillors 'smelled the coffee' and realise they have to entice small traders back.Warbles

Now look at the place, becoming as 'derelict' as the rest of Newport. About time the councillors 'smelled the coffee' and realise they have to entice small traders back.

Score: -1

sperduti says...12:04pm Tue 1 Jul 14

Warbles wrote…

Now look at the place, becoming as 'derelict' as the rest of Newport. About time the councillors 'smelled the coffee' and realise they have to entice small traders back.

yes I noticed this the arcade at the top of high street used to be lovely I was so shocked to see the state of it while waiting for the spytty bus and the old Tredegar arms opposite is just home to the pigeons what a disgrace !!! this use to be a lovely place to have a drink the TA as it was known .

[quote][p][bold]Warbles[/bold] wrote:
Now look at the place, becoming as 'derelict' as the rest of Newport. About time the councillors 'smelled the coffee' and realise they have to entice small traders back.[/p][/quote]yes I noticed this the arcade at the top of high street used to be lovely I was so shocked to see the state of it while waiting for the spytty bus and the old Tredegar arms opposite is just home to the pigeons what a disgrace !!! this use to be a lovely place to have a drink the TA as it was known .sperduti

Warbles wrote…

Now look at the place, becoming as 'derelict' as the rest of Newport. About time the councillors 'smelled the coffee' and realise they have to entice small traders back.

yes I noticed this the arcade at the top of high street used to be lovely I was so shocked to see the state of it while waiting for the spytty bus and the old Tredegar arms opposite is just home to the pigeons what a disgrace !!! this use to be a lovely place to have a drink the TA as it was known .

Score: -1

KarloMarko says...2:29pm Tue 1 Jul 14

Instead of dreaming of the Debenham's "cargo cult", that arcade and wider market area should have been further developed and restored as a cafe quarter. It has some real history and distinctiveness. Level and grass over the old shopping centre/bus station and build a new green park to the river. They could call it the Karlo Marko Plaza. Subject to 10%.

Instead of dreaming of the Debenham's "cargo cult", that arcade and wider market area should have been further developed and restored as a cafe quarter. It has some real history and distinctiveness. Level and grass over the old shopping centre/bus station and build a new green park to the river. They could call it the Karlo Marko Plaza. Subject to 10%.KarloMarko

Instead of dreaming of the Debenham's "cargo cult", that arcade and wider market area should have been further developed and restored as a cafe quarter. It has some real history and distinctiveness. Level and grass over the old shopping centre/bus station and build a new green park to the river. They could call it the Karlo Marko Plaza. Subject to 10%.

Score: -1

pds says...2:53pm Tue 1 Jul 14

Don't confuse Newport Arcade with Market Arcade. One is still lovely, the other is a dump. And as for blaming business rates for the decline, that's the least of traders worries. I'm afraid the real reason for the decline of shops in the area is the lack of passing trade. (That's you and me by the way, choosing to shop elsewhere).

Don't confuse Newport Arcade with Market Arcade. One is still lovely, the other is a dump.
And as for blaming business rates for the decline, that's the least of traders worries. I'm afraid the real reason for the decline of shops in the area is the lack of passing trade. (That's you and me by the way, choosing to shop elsewhere).pds

Don't confuse Newport Arcade with Market Arcade. One is still lovely, the other is a dump. And as for blaming business rates for the decline, that's the least of traders worries. I'm afraid the real reason for the decline of shops in the area is the lack of passing trade. (That's you and me by the way, choosing to shop elsewhere).

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